Itchy and Bitchy

Karen Nickell
  • 4.9 (1.7K)
  • SEXUALITY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Nurse practitioner Karen Nickell discusses the realities of menopause and the female midlife in a way that is both informative and fun. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.

  1. 4D AGO

    Countdown of Karen's Top Ten Episodes of 2025

    Karen counts down her top 10 Itchy & Bitchy moments of 2025, from smarter New Year’s resolutions and promising UTI vaccines on the horizon to updated insights on HRT. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.

    26 min

  2. DEC 6

    Oh, Snap! Osteoporosis!

    Karen shares her personal journey with osteoporosis. What distinguishes it from osteopenia? How are DEXA T-scores interpreted? Why does early screening matter? She covers lifestyle and nutrition, hormone considerations, and medication options. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.

    28 min

  3. NOV 22

    Red Light Under My Christmas Tree?

    Karen breaks down red light therapy (photobiomodulation) and where it actually helps: smoothing signs of aging, supporting hair regrowth, calming acne (especially paired with blue light), easing chronic pain and inflammation, and even emerging research for cognition in dementia. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.

    18 min

  4. NOV 8

    Holiday Heart Doesn't Mean a Happy Heart (RERUN)

    Family nurse practitioner Karen re-airs a timely episode on “holiday heart syndrome,” the spike in alcohol-triggered arrhythmias (often AFib) that can strike otherwise healthy people during festive gatherings. She explains what binge drinking looks like, key symptoms to watch for (from palpitations and chest pressure to shortness of breath), why it raises stroke risk, and simple prevention steps. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.

    10 min

  5. OCT 25

    Surprising Update on Healthcare Self Advocacy!

    After listening to an episode of Itchy and Bitchy, a woman pushed for further testing and caught grade 1A ovarian cancer early—requiring only surgery. Karen revisits why self-advocacy saves lives, translating expert definitions into everyday guidance and offering practical steps: build a true partnership with your provider, keep detailed symptom and medication notes, ask clear questions about tests, risks, and costs, use reliable resources (not “Dr. Google”), consult your pharmacist, and keep your advance care planning up to date. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.

    16 min

  6. OCT 11

    Estradiol and Skin: The Perfect Match!

    Karen tackles a common menopause question: oral vs. topical estradiol. She explains first-pass metabolism and why transdermal options can lower clot, gallstone, and side-effect risks for many, then compares real-world choices. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.

    16 min

  7. SEP 27

    Redefining Lithium with Low Dosing

    Karen tackles a listener question about low-dose lithium. She reviews micro- vs. low-dose ranges, discusses forms like lithium orotate/aspartate and third-party-tested supplement options, and flags safety essentials such as toxicity symptoms, thyroid/kidney considerations, and when to loop in your clinician. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.

    17 min

  8. SEP 13

    Blood Tests for Multiple Cancers + Whole Body Scan Info

    In this update to the August 2024 episode, Karen explains the surge of direct-to-consumer “whole-body” MRI/CT screenings and how to decide with your provider whether they’re a good fit. In the re-aired episode, Karen explores the Galleri test, a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test that can identify over 50 types of cancer. She explains how the test works, its potential benefits, and the risks associated with its use. She also shares personal stories from individuals who benefited from the test, while discussing ongoing research to determine its effectiveness in improving cancer outcomes. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.

    26 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
1,726 Ratings

About

Nurse practitioner Karen Nickell discusses the realities of menopause and the female midlife in a way that is both informative and fun. Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.

Information

  • Creator
    Karen Nickell
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    205
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Itchy and Bitchy
  • Show Website
    Itchy and Bitchy

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